Drafting roll and apron clearing arrangement



Jan. 7, 1964 R. B. NEWTON 3,116,513

DRAFTING ROLL AND APRON CLEARING ARRANGEMENT Filed Aug. 23, 1961 5sheets sheet l F1634" INVENTOR.

RUSSELL B. NEWTON ATTOR EY Jan. 7, 1964 R. B. NEWTON 3,115,518

DRAFTING ROLL AND APRON CLEARING ARRANGEMENT Filed Aug. 25. 1961 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RUSSELL- B.NEWTON Jan. 7, 1964 R. B. NEWTON 3,

DRAFTING ROLL AND APRON CLEARING ARRANGEMENT Filed Aug. 25, 1961 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

RUSi LS ELL B.NEWTON United States Patent 3,116,518 DRAFTING RGLL ANDAPRQN CLEARING ARRANGEMENT Russell 13. Newton, fipartanburg, S.C.,assignor to Deering Millikan Research Corporation, Spartanburg, S.C., a

corporation or Delaware Filed Aug. 23, 1961, Sier. No. 133,438 18Claims. (Cl. 19-245) This invention relates to the handling of textilefibers, and more particularly to an improved drafting arrangement of theapron type.

In the drafting of textile fibers it is conventional practice to employa sequence of drafting rolls, one or more of which drafting rolls mayhave a control apron thereabout and extending forwardly therefrom formaintaining a desired degree of control over the fibers in their passagebetween pairs of rolls. Such control aprons and the rolls and tensorelements about which they normally pass are subject to the accumulationof lint from the air or surrounding environment. Also, with theconventional roll and spaced tensor element arrangement, thefiber-engaging run of an apron does not always maintain the desireddegree of control of the fibers along its entire length, although thetensor element is sometimes widened in an attempt to remedy thisdeficiency. Further, it is desirable that the aprons be capable ofaccommodating variations, which are sametimes abrupt and substantiallylarge, as in the case of slubs, in the fiber mass size passing throughthe fiber-drafting arrangement. It is also desirable that a givenapron-drafting arrangement be capable of accommodating various sizes ofyarn mass for spinning various yarn counts, preferably on aself-compensating basis, without requiring manual adjustment for eachvariation in fiber mass or yarn count.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of an apron-typefiber-drafting arrangement which provides a cleaning or clearing actionon the apron-carrying rolls and the interior of the aprons, as well asproviding a desired maximum degree of guiding and control of thefiberengaging run of the aprons, and in which the fiber-engaging runs ofthe aprons are capable of self-compensating accommodation of variationsin fiber mass size.

Still other features and attendant advantages will become apparent toone skilled in the art from a reading of the following detaileddescription of several physical embodiments constructed according to theinvention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an apron drafting assemblyincorporating the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic line section View of a drafting arrangementaccording to the present invention and incorporating the apron draftingarrangement of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded View of the apron-drafting arrangement of FIGURE1.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a modified aprondrafting arrangementaccording to the invention.

FIGURE 5 is a line section View of a drafting arrangement incorporatingthe modified apron-drafting arrangement of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an exploded View of the apron-and-rollclearing andapron-guiding-and-controlling elements of the embodiment of FIGURES 4and 5.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic line section View of a further modificationaccording to the invention.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings, in FIG- URES 1-3 theinvention is illustrated as applied to a conventional apron-draftingarrangement having three successive pairs of nip-type draft rolls 11,13, 15, 17, 19 and Patented Jan. '3', I954 21, the middle pair of rollsbeing knurled, as shown, or fluted or smooth as desired, and havingfiber-control aprons di posed thereabout and extending forwardlytherefrom toward the front pair of rolls 1), 21.

As in conventional practice, the apron roll assembly is illustrated assuitably mounted in a cradle 23 including a pair of side walls 23a, 23bsecured together in spacedapart relation as through the medium ofconnecting pins 23c, 23d which may be suitably secured to the side wallsas by bradding, welding, or the like. The cradle is illustrated as aunitary construction, although it will be apparent that various cradlearrangements may be employed as may be desired, and in accordance withconventional or other desired practice. As in conventional practice thecradle 23 rests on the smooth bosses of the knurled drive roll 17, andthe top roll 15 rests in a suitably formed recess in the cradle wallsand is held in position by the tension of the apron 25 which passesthereabout and a conventional Weighting arm (not shown).

According to the present invention, the conventional tensor element,which is normally a fixed nose bar for each of the aprons, is eliminatedand a combination apronand-roll-clearing and apron-guiding element 35,37 is disposed within each of the aprons 25 and 27, and elastic meansare provided for permitting self-compensating movement of one or both ofthe aprons toward and away from the fiber-flow path between the apronsin order to accommodate variations in fiber mass size. In theillustrated embodiment of FIGURES 1-3, this elastic means takes the formof a connecting U-pin 39 and elastic tube 4-1, the pin 39 fitting bothwithin an axial bore 41a formed in the elastic tube 41 and acomplementary bore 37d formed in and extending across the width of theclearing and guiding element 37. The elastic tube 41, which may beformed of soft rubber, plastic, or other suitable elastic material, maybe disposed within a complementary bore 35d extending across the widthof the clearing and guiding element 35. The pin 39 also passes throughcomplementary openings 23 formed in the two side walls 23a, 23b of thecradle 23, and this serves to establish the base position of the noseends 350, 370 of the clearing and guiding elements 35, 37 and thecorresponding aprons 25, 27. The elastic tube disposed within the upperclearing and guiding element 35 permits self-compensating movement ofthis element 35 and its apron 25 toward and away from the path of thefiber mass F.

It will be apparent that while the embodiment of FIG- URES 1-3 isillustrated with the lower clearing and guiding element 37 relativelyfixed and the upper clearing and guiding element elastically disposedrelative thereto, the reverse of this arrangement may be employed ifdesired, or both elements may be elastically mounted for movement towardand away from the fiber flow path.

In FIGURES 4-6, there is illustrated a modified arrangement in whichboth apron-and-roll-clearing and apron-guiding elements 135, 137 aremounted for elastic movement toward and away from the flow path of thefiber mass F. In this arrangement the clearing and guiding elements 135,137 have slots d, 137d formed in their respective oppositely outersurfaces, which slots accommodate a U-bracket or flat U-pin 139 andrespective cushion strips or pads of elastic material 141a, 1411). TheU-bracket or U-pin 139 is suitably removably mounted in complementaryslots 123 12 3f formed in the cradle 123. The mounting bracket 139 andelastic cushions 141a, 1411b serve to elastically position theapron-and-roll-clearing and apron-guiding elements 135, 137 and thefiberengaging runs of the aprons for desired fiber-flow between therolls 15, 17 and 1%, 21, while permitting self-compensating movement ofthe clearing and guiding elements 135, 137 and fiber-engaging runs ofthe aprons 25, 2'7 toward a and away from the flow path of the fibermass F to accommodate variations in the size of the fiber mass.

In order to provide free movement of the clearing and guiding elementstoward and away from one another in this embodiment the slots 135d, 137dmay be either oversize, or preferably cut with an undercut in the frontportion thereof as illustrated, in order to prevent binding duringmovement away from one another. The undercut slot permits this freemovement while also providing a substantially continuous apron-engagingsurface for the outer runs for the aprons 235, 27.

In FIGURE 7, there is illustrated a further modification according tothe invention, and in which the two apronand-roll-clearing andaprornguiding elements 235, 237 are mount d in relatively fixed positionby a U-pin 239 similar to the U-pin of PEGURE l, but without the elastictube surrounding one of the legs of pin as in FIGURE 1. In this modifiedembodiment the fiber-engaging run of the top apron 25 is permitted tomove in self-c mpensating manner to\ ard and away from the how path ofthe fiber mass F, while still providing both apron-guiding of the fiberengaging run of this apron as well as the opposite apron 2'7, and alsoapron-and-roll-clearing of the two aprons 25, F7. this end, the upperclearing and guiding clement ha elastic cush on layer 2 surface of theapron A, and p s self-compensating elastic movement of the fiber-er gingrun of this apron toward and away from the fiber-flow path, although themain body portions of each of the clearing and guiding elements and 23?are relatively fixed with respect to one another.

cushion may be formed of a slab or sheet of elastic material, such assoft low-f1 n pla it: or the like, and may be formed on or suitablysecured to the upper main substantially rigid material body portion ofthe clearing and guiding element 2J3 as by rubber cement or othersuitable adhesive or bonding material.

Although it is impossible to illustrate such in the drawings, it wil beunderstood that the apron-and-roll-clearing and apron-guiding elementsshould not be so tight within the aprons as to materi iy imp 'ie thepassage of the aprons there bout. As a matter of fact, a substantiallyloose fit within the aprons has been found to be most advantageous,while still providing the desired apron-androll-clearing andapron-guiding functions.

While the invention has been illustrated with respect to severalillustrative embodiments, it will be apparent that various modificationsand improvements may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be understood as limited to the specificillustrative embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In an apron-type fiber-drafting assem ly having a plurality ofdrafting rolls and a pair of fiber-control aprons disposed about arespective pair of said rolls and extending into the zone between saidpair of rolls and a subsequent pair of rolls, the improvement comprisingtwo apron-and-roll-engaging elements for apron and fiber control andapron and roll clearing, each element being disposed within a respectiveone of said aprons, and means interconnecting said two elements, sa dtwo elements each having a roll-engaging rubbing surface and anapronengaging nose surface s aced from said roll-engaging surface and anelongate intermediate apron-engaging-andpositioning rubbing surface,said elongate intermediate apron-engaging;-and-positioning rubbingsurfaces facing and being adjacent one another and elastic cushioningmeans permitting elastic relative movement between the adjacent elongateintermediate apron-engaging-and-positioning rubbing surfaces of said twoelements to accommodate varying fiber mass conditions in the course ofprogressing a fiber mass between said aprons.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said meansinterconnecting said two elements includes a bracket, and saidcushioning means includes an elastic cushion bet\ een said bracket andone of said two elements.

3. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said bracket is U-shapedand extends into recesses formed in said two elements, said cushionbeing disposed in one of said recesses.

4-. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said fiber draftingassembly includes a substantially stationary c adle cage separate fromsaid two elements, said cl being laterally enclosed within said cradlecage.

5. The improvement according to claim 4 wherein said interconnectingmeans for said elements includes means connecting said elements togetherthrough said cradle 6. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein saidinterconnecting means for said elements includes a bracket releasablyinterconn cting said two elements, and said cus toning means includes anelastic cushion between said bracket and one of said two elements, saidbracket being releasably connected to said cradle cage.

7. In an apron-type drafting arrangement having a pair rolls and a fibercontrol apron extending over one said ro s nd with a fiber-er ging runfor engagement ss passing along a fiber flow path and second usercontrol means having a fiber-guiding portion facing closely adjacentsaid fiber-engaging run of said apron the impr vernent compris n acombination apron-androll-clearin. and apron-gt ng element disposedwithin said apron and engaging in clearing relation with the peripheryof said one roll and the interior surface of said apron, and elasticmeans connected to said element and permitting self-compensatingmovement of aid apron toward and away from said fiber flow path and saidfiberguiding portion of said fiber control means.

8. The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said elastic meansincludes an elastic mount for and connected to said element.

9. The improvement according to claim 8 wherein said elastic mountincludes an elastic member having an aperture formed therein and al oincludes a substantially stationary support, and a pin disposed in saidaperture and operably associated with said substantially stationarysupport whereby said pin and said elastic member form an elasticconnection between said support and said acronand-roll-clearing andapron-guiding element.

l0. The improvement according to claim 8 wherein sa elastic mountincludes an elastic member and a substantially stationary support, meansforming a slotted opening on an apron-facing surface of said element,said elastic member being positioned in said slotted opening, and a flatpin member in said slotted opening engaging said elastic member andoperably associated with said substantially stat onary support wherebysaid pin member and said elastic member form an elastic connectionbetween sa d support and said apron-and-roll-clearing and apron-guidingelement.

ll. The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said elastic member isa tube disposed in a bore formed in said element, said pin extendinginto said opening and a corresponding close-fitting opening formed insaid support.

12. The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said elastic means isan elastic cushion on one surface of said element and resilientlyengagin with said fiberengaging run of said apron.

13. The improvement accordin! to claim 9 wherein said support is aroll-engaging cradle which engages a roll about which said apron rides.

14. The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said second fibercontrol means includes a second apron disposed about the other of saidrolls, said two aprons having interfacing fiber-engaging runs, and asecond apron-and-roll clearing and apron-guiding element disposed withinthe second said apron.

15. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said elastic meansincludes an elastic connection between said two elements for elasticself-compensating movement between said two elements toward and awayfrom said fiber flow path.

16. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said apron-and-rollclearing and apron-guiding elements includes nose guide means forguiding each of said aprons at a spaced apart position from said rollsthrough a reduced radius bend, said elastic connection being disposed topermit relative compensating movement between said elements adjacentsaid nose guide means.

17. The improvement according to claim 16 wherein said nose guide meansfor each of said aprons is integral with the respective one of saidelements.

18. The improvement according to claim 14 wherein said elastic meansincludes an elastic cushion on one surface of one of said elements andresiliently engaging with the interior surface of the fiber-engaging runof its respec- 1 tive said apron.

No references cited.

1. IN AN APRON-TYPE FIBER-DRAFTING ASSEMBLY HAVING A PLURALITY OF DRAFTING ROLLS AND A PAIR OF FIBER-CONTROL APRONS DISPOSED ABOUT A RESPECTIVE PAIR OF SADI ROLLS AND EXTENDING INTO THE ZONE BETWEEN SAID PAIR OF ROLLS AND A SUBSEQUENT PAIR OF ROLLS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING TWO APRON-AND-ROLL-ENGAGING ELEMENTS FOR APORNSAND FIBER CONTROL AND APRON AND ROLL CLEARING, EACH ELEMENT BEING DISPOSED WITHIN A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID APRONS, AND MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID TWO ELEMENTS, SAID TWO ELEMENTS EACH HAVING A ROLL-ENGAGING RUBBING SURFACE AND AN APRONENGAGING NOSE SURFACE SPACED FROM SAID ROLL-ENGAGING SURFACE AND AN ELONGATE INTERMEDIATE APRON-ENGAGING-ANDPOSITIONING RUBBING SURFACE, SAID ELONGATE INTERMEDIATE APRON-ENGAGING-AND-POSITIONING RUBBING SURFACE FACING AND BEING ADJACENT ONE ANOTHER AND ELASTIC CUSHIONING MEANS PERMITTING ELASTIC RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ADJACENT ELONGATE INTERMEDIATE APRON-ENGAGING-AND-POSITIONING RUBBING SURFACES OF SAID TWO ELEMENTS TO ACCOMMODATE VARYING FIBER MASS CONDITIONS IN THE COURSE OF PROGRESSING A FIBER MASS BETWEEN SAID APRONS. 